The Presidency of the Regional Government, through the Regional Director of Culture, will open the new premises of the Graciosa Museum on December 11 at 4:30 PM at a ceremony that will be presided over by Carlos César, the President of the Regional Government of the Azores.
The architectural project, designed by architect Mariana Godinho, in addition to recovering the pre-existing building, also sought to integrate the area of land annexed to the building, hence expanding the museum facilities from 376 m2 to a 549 m2, with an additional covered area distributed by administrative and reception areas as well as by areas for permanent and temporary exhibition, and rooms for Educational Services.
The new museum premises attempt to characterise Graciosa and stress the specificities of its natural environment and the human adaption to the island through the diversified collection that the museum has been gathering since 1977.
The accomplishment of this project required an investment of approximately 1,500,000.00 € between April 2009 and December 2010.
Moreover, the opening of the museum features a temporary exhibitions by painter Vera Bettencourt as well as various initiatives addressed at the Graciosa islanders to take place between December 11 and 19 (guided tours, educational activities, the opening of the whaling boats shed, lectures and a Christmas concert).